Bradford Council has had to make some tough decisions on the back of finding £30m savings as part of its cuts package. But the decision to close Manningham Baths has been one that has caused major anger and frustration.

Two issues have been at the forefront of people’s desire to keep the pool going. One is the historic value of the baths, with the Victorian Society among those campaigning vociferously against the closure.

The other, more important, factor is the impact it will have on the community, and in particular, young people within the community.

At a time when a lot of central Government resources are being used to try and promote healthier lifestyles in a bid to reduce the ever-growing cost of treating people for obesity-related conditions, the decision to close a swimming pool has sent out the wrong message.

Further to that, the pool is one that is particularly well used by certain groups within the community, and the Council now has to closely look at whether the closure will have a particularly adverse effect on these groups. Because the pool is kept three degrees warmer than other pools, it is popular with the less active and older population as well as young users.

And it is also popular with the Muslim community, partly due to the fact that it is in a completely enclosed space and can be used for single sex bathing.

The Council says it is now reviewing its own impact assessment on the effect of the closure.

What officers and councillors now have to do is look to find a solution that allows the pool to stay open without affecting the money that must be saved. It may be that a saviour is found through a private benefactor. But that £30m has to be found, and any solution to save the pool has to have financial viability.